What is euthanasia? Euthanasia is a word of Greek origin that translates to "good" and "death."  Although there are people who may contend there is no such thing as a "good death," most veterinarians would disagree.  Whether your pet is seriously injured, suffering from a disease or condi...

Pets have several physiologic mechanisms that normally help them to dissipate heat and maintain a normal body temperature. Although dogs and cats don't have many sweat glands in their skin, their primary cooling mechanisms are through panting and dilation of blood vessels in their paws.  Heats...

It can be stressful for both the cat and the cat owner to visit the veterinarian.  For many, the stress of the veterinary visit starts even before arriving at the veterinary clinic with trying to get the cat into the carrier and the car ride to the practice.  Here are some suggestions to h...

A preventive care examination or check-up should occur at least once a year for all cats, and more frequently for senior cats with chronic medical conditions. These visits are important to your cat's healthcare plan. During this visit, your veterinarian will assess your cat's nutrition, lifestyle, e...

A veterinarian may recommend subcutaneous (sub-Q) fluids for pets with health problems that lead to dehydration, or as a means of ensuring adequate hydration in the face of certain illnesses.  Pets with kidney disease, for example, or pets with excessive fluid losses from vomiting or diarrhea,...

Tempted to share your holiday feast with your pet?  It's important to remember what's safe and what should be avoided. Foods to consider sharing should be low fat (no butter or sauces) and unseasoned whole foods. Although anything that your pet is unaccustomed to could cause an upset stoma...

Your 6-year-old cat has been to the vet 3 times in the past 2 months for a GI problem with no clear diagnosis and you feel strongly that it's time for a second opinion from a specialist. Many pet owners feel that this request will be an affront to their current trusted general vet. Just remember you...

Like their human counterparts, it's not uncommon for some pets with complicated medical issues to require several medications as part of their treatment plan. Drug-drug interactions are well documented in human medicine, and many of the recommendations made for our companion animals are based o...

What if there was a way to empower pet owners in the care of their pet?  Well, our team of veterinary specialists recently discovered several high tech, home health monitoring options that could very well optimize the management and outcomes of pets with a variety of diseases. Advances in tech...

Essential oils are biologically active aromatic compounds derived from seeds, flowers, roots, shrubs, bushes and trees. Each essential oil has a number of different bioconstituents which makes it unique in its effects.  Essential oils can be used in a variety of ways including by diffusion, dir...

Since the time of their domestication until only a few decades ago, dogs spent the majority of their time working with their masters in the wild, in the fields, or even in the streets. Modern life and the necessities of work don’t generally allow for this same side-by-side constant togethernes...

Cats and Scratching: A Match Made in Heaven? Cat ownership offers plenty of little joys: you get a cute and entertaining snuggle buddy and playmate whose behavior is endlessly fascinating, with the added bonus of having a dedicated pest control specialist living in your home. But if your pet start...

The use and advocacy of cannabis-based therapies has been a hot topic in the world of human medicine for some time. We frequently hear reports of proposed legislation to legalize cannabis-based products for medicinal and/or recreational use. With the increase in interest and awareness about the medi...

Senior and geriatric pets are a growing segment of the pet population largely due to advances in preventative health care and treatment options for various diseases and conditions. Elderly pets are also more prone to developing a chronic illness. These illnesses often have clinical signs that may be...

Osteoarthritis is very common in dogs, and it is estimated that 20% of dogs over one year of age have osteoarthritis. It can certainly develop in dogs at any age or in any breed, however risk factors for the development and progresssion include increased age (it is more common in older dogs) and inc...

These additional resources have been provided by Cynthia Otto, DVM, PhD, DACVECC, DACVSMR (Canine Sports Medicine),CCRT as a supplement to her presentation on Exercises to Keep a Dog's Mind and Body Fit at Any Age. Exercises - A Video Montage (Running time: 12 mins)   Veterinary Rehabilita...

Advances in veterinary health care - including high tech diagnostics and specialty care treatment options - help us take better care of our pets. Not surprising, many of these options are costly, and bills for veterinary services are an out-of-pocket expense for the pet owner. This cost of care ofte...

// //   Owners of pets with chronic or terminal illnesses commonly ask veterinary professionals - how will I know when it's time? Meaning, how will they know when it is time to consider humane euthanasia to end a pet's suffering?Most professionals are proficient in guiding and advising...

  // Antimicrobial drugs are used to treat bacterial, fungal, and viral infections. Accordingly, these types of drugs fall into one of 3 categories - antibiotics, antifungals, or antiviral medications. The emergence of drug-resistant infections (antimicrobial resistance) is a global he...

After the death of a pet the aftercare options commonly considered include burial (if legally permissible in that municipality) and flame cremation. In this age of environmental care and concern there is an awareness about the contribution of greenhouse gases into our environment in association with...

  Using Technology to Champion & Optimize Your Pet's Health The best outcome for any patient (human or animal) receiving treatment for a medical condition or after a surgery or procedure hinges on adhering to the doctor's instructions and follow-up recommendations. Healthcare providers re...

The American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) just recently released the 2022 AAHA Pain Management Guidelines for Dogs and Cats (J Am Anim Hosp Assoc 2022; 58:55–76. DOI 10.5326/JAAHA-MS-7292) - a wonderful resource for veterinary practitioners. As they state in their introduction,...

A growing number of veterinary clinics are taking steps to become designated as Cat Friendly Practices.  To be designated as a Cat Friendly Practice, they have proven that they understand and are taking specific steps to meet the unique needs of cats and implement feline-friendly standards of c...

Pet Bunny on the Way? Make Sure You Read This First Rabbits certainly are cute. It’s difficult to see a fluffy little bunny and not want to take it home with you. But like dogs and cats, rabbits have specific care needs, and if you’re new to rabbit ownership, some of those needs may act...